Column by Sharon Dynak
For The Sheridan Press

Unless your name is Ebenezer, you probably have beloved traditions and memories that bring special meaning to Christmas. For me, the arts — especially books and music — are entwined throughout my history, and the holidays are no exception. Many years ago, during my first winter in Wyoming, I struggled to adapt to rural life. Maybe it was the 40 below zero temperatures, but I complained to a friend in New York City, “It’s very cold here, and there is no cathedral!” He interrupted me and said, “You’re in Wyoming. The whole place is a cathedral.” I looked out my window at the beautiful hills and starlit sky, and knew he was right.

The cathedral I longed for that December was the site of my own favorite holiday tradition — an annual concert at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan near Columbia University. It is the largest cathedral in the world — longer than two football fields, and tall enough to fit the Statue of Liberty under its dome. The Paul Winter Consort performs a Winter Solstice Celebration there every year, filling the extraordinary space with singers, dancers and musicians. The program changed from year to year, but it always culminated with a rousing “Howl-alujah Chorus.” The whole audience chimed in, howling like wolves, in honor of Mother Earth and the return of the sun after the calendar’s darkest day. Then we would file out onto Amsterdam Avenue, energized, spirits uplifted.

Ucross now has the Ucross Chapel — not a cavernous cathedral, but still a beautiful stone building for prayer and peaceful meditation, and we’ve created our own unique tradition, a community Christmas celebration at the nearby Raymond Plank Center. This year it will be on Dec. 14, from 4-6 p.m. and we hope you’ll join us. There will be singers (the Buffalo Balladiers) and musicians (Taylor Corum), a reading by our neighbor Craig Johnson, crafts for children and festive refreshments for all. Not even the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine ends their event with the shooting of a cannon, spectacular fireworks and the lighting of hundreds of Christmas trees in the park.

As the year draws to a close, I’m grateful it was overflowing with art. In 2019, I had the privilege to be appointed to the board of the Wyoming Arts Council by Gov. Mark Gordon. This has given me the opportunity to travel the state with like-minded arts champions, experiencing some of Wyoming’s amazing art organizations and artists. One of my favorite moments took place recently at Little America in Cheyenne, where the Wyoming Arts Summit was held. World champion hoop dancer Jasmine Pickner-Bell performed one morning and I was absolutely stunned by the power of her dance. The summit, organized by the terrific staff of the Wyoming Arts Council, focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in the arts. It was an invaluable learning and networking experience for all participants.

Back at Ucross, we’ve had much good news of late. Just this month, two Ucross alums won National Book Awards — Susan Choi in fiction for her novel “Trust Exercise,” and Sarah M. Broom in nonfiction for her memoir, “The Yellow House.” (Good Christmas gift ideas!) A jazz composer, Michael Holober, was nominated for a 2020 Grammy Award for music he composed partly at Ucross. (His CD, “Hiding Out,” was inspired by the name of our composer’s studio, Jesse’s Hideout). Another composer, Benjamin Velez, won the prestigious Fred Ebb Award, recognizing excellence in aspiring musical theatre creators.

There is so much to be thankful for in this breathtaking Wyoming cathedral we live in — with its vast open space, a vital arts scene and Christmas celebrations throughout the community. As the song goes, “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough!”

Sharon Dynak is president of the Ucross Foundation, an artist residency program located on the eastern edge of Sheridan County.

About The Sheridan Press
The Sheridan Press has served Sheridan County, Wyoming, since 1887. The award-winning independent newspaper offers print and online news delivery platforms to the thriving community, which boasts a college; a lively arts, culture, and music scene; a bustling downtown; and many other amenities, including unlimited outdoor recreational opportunities. To subscribe to The Sheridan Press, click here.